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Abstract

Using a ray-tracing approach, we calculate photorealistic images and simple movies of objects in a material with negative index of refraction. Our results show several surprising and drastic effects, for example reversal of apparent object velocity, extreme distortions of object shape, and even apparent loss of connectivity of simple objects. The material presented aims at giving both researchers and laymen an intuition and visual understanding for the unusual optical properties of negative-index materials.

Figures (5)

(a) Calculated ray-tracing image of a metal rod in an empty drinking glass. (b) Same scenery, but the glass is filled with normal water, n =1.3 , leading to ordinary refraction. (c) The water is replaced by “water” with a fictitious refractive index of n = -1.3 .

Illustration of the depth-dependent magnification factor s´/ s of an object with size s in a material with n = -1. The observer looks straight down onto the object (arrow). The observer-interface distance is a, the interface-object distance is a’. (a) a´ < a and (b) a´ > a.

(a) Scheme of the movie scenery. The observer is at the cross and looks straight down. Four characteristic snapshots are depicted. (b) (1.2 MB) The colored ball falls (i.e., moves away from the observer) with constant velocity v in a material with n =1 . (c) (1.3 MB) As (b), but n = - 1 . Note the reversed apparent velocity of the ball in (c) as well as the infinite size at a´ = a (compare Fig. 2).

(a) Scheme of the movie scenery. The observer is at the cross and looks straight down. Four characteristic snapshots are depicted. (b) (1.6 MB) The tilted arrow falls with constant velocity v in a material with n =1 . (c) (2.3 MB) As (b), but n = -1 . Note the extreme distortions and rotation of the arrow in (c) when parts of it are in or near to the “focus” at a´ = a (compare Fig. 2). It even appears to be torn into pieces.